Mercruiser alpha one drive oil reservoir

[MCL]

Hi

Im rebuilding a boat and currently building a driveline for it.The engine is almost finished and the transom housing has been completely rebuilt.I aquired a alpha one 1.5 outdrive from 1989.The outdrive was leaking oil to the bellow so I got it for cheap.Since the drive is all original from 1989 I thought a partial reseal might do good.
I replaced the complete waterpump,shift shaft seal and bushing,vertical shaft lower seal.Will still need to change the o-rings and oil seal on the u-joint that was leaking oil.Still dont know if I let the shop do it or if I buy a torque gauge which is needed to set the bearings.

Anyways I know the later modell alphas have a drive oil reservoir and I would like to get one myself.I have already built a bottle with bracket and thru hull fitting out of 316 stainless steel.My first thought was to replace the top oil plug with a hose connector.Is there something wrong to attach the drive oil reservoir at this height of the drive.There will still be left the airpocket at the top part of the drive just as the drives without oil reservoirs.

I really dont know how its done from the factory on the gen 2 drives,and a bit keen to find out.From what ive gathered the oil goes by hose throught the transom housing?Any input is greatly appreciated.Is the complete outdrive filled on the gen2 or do they also leave a air pocket at the top housing?

 

[Bt Doctur]

or if I buy a torque gauge which is needed to set the bearings.

If you have the orig gears with the small inner spacer, you just torque the nut,

My first thought was to replace the top oil plug with a hose connector.Is there something wrong to attach the drive oil reservoir at this height of the drive.There will still be left the airpocket at the top part of the drive just as the drives without oil reservoirs.

Nothing to worry about doing it that way

 

[MCL]

Hello

Im aware that some models have the inner spacer,but since this is the last of the alpha one drives before gen 2 it should be without it and thus need the torque gauge.I went to the local official mercruiser service store to buy some spare parts and spoke to the tech.
He actually suggested marking the nut and bolt,and after replacing the seal just screw the nut precisely back to its marked position.According to him its ok to do it this way as long as your not replacing any mechanical parts.

He seemed reputable but do you think this would be ok.Otherwise I have the option of ordering the tool for 120$ or let the shop do it for a quoted 70$.Gonna dismantle it today and decide then.

 

[fishrdan]

For your gear lube reservoir, put the thru-hull centered directly above the drive, about 2-3". I placed my thru-hull about 6" to port of the drive, and even with the top of the gimble housing, which works fine... But I recently saw Mercruiser's instructions for their add-on gear lube bottle and having it centered over the drive is much better.

For the upper's gear lube hose connection, I used an old aluminum gear lube pump fitting, been working fine for years... Also used 5/16" high pressure fuel hose for the drive to thru-hull and replace it every 2-3 years, just make sure it's long enough for full drive movement.

 

[NHGuy]

Also don't fret about the air in the top of the drive. It will burp out to the reservoir with use. That's the real win here, you get fully bathed top bevel gears.

 

[MCL]

Thanks for all the help.I will take the top plug to work and modify it to have a hex head and hose nipple.Seems easier than drilling and tapping the housing.Im going to wait until I have the drive mounted before I choose the placement of the thru hull fitting,gonna experiment with different routings to find otu what works.

I have a question regarding the top bearing assembly on the drive,but I will start another topic for that matter.